Taunton skate park site on Longmeadow Road approved, group must front construction costs

Thursday

May 8, 2014 at 10:11 PMMay 8, 2014 at 10:22 PM

Marc Larocque Enterprise Staff Writer @Enterprise_Marc

TAUNTON — Supporters of a public skate park in Taunton finally have their site. Now, all they need is the funding.

The Taunton Skate Park Committee, a group of community members that is currently seeking nonprofit status, received approval on Monday night from the city’s Parks, Cemeteries and Public Grounds Commission to build a 10,000-square-foot skate park in front of Hartson Fields on Longmeadow Road.

But the Taunton Skate Park Committee must privately finance the project, said members of the group and city officials. The group estimates that the project will cost between $350,000 and $400,000.

“Now it’s money, money, money,” said Lee Ann Tavares, who leads the Taunton Skate Park Committee. “We have to kick our fundraising into full gear. We have to get a design and a company to come in and build it. We are really excited because now we can move forward and hopefully make this a reality sooner than later.”

The skate park proposal has been in the works since 2007. The proponents originally planned to build the skate park downtown behind the police station and Marion Manor on Summer Street. Despite a state grant being secured to finance the skate park project, the original plan was dashed when the Historic District Commission rejected a skate park for the site in February 2011, resulting in a passive park that is rarely used by citizens, but helps manage stormwater runoff from the Mill River.

The new site, on city-owned property in front of two softball fields, is out of jurisdiction of the Historic District Commission. But it does remain in a central area of the city, less than a mile from Taunton High School.

“It’s at a site with another recreational piece and that is active,” said Marilyn Green, of the Parks, Cemeteries and Public Grounds Department. “We feel it would be a good fit.”

Once the design is completed, the skate park group must receive approval for that as well, Greene said.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Anthony Shetler, a professional skateboarder from Taunton. “It’s awesome that we got that approval for the site. Now it’s just about raising the funds. Everyone is going to work hard, trying to raise money and find grants. I’m just happy there is one obstacle out of the way.”

Shetler, whose sport has taken him to competitions all over the world, said that while football players and baseball players have their fields in the city, it’s important that Taunton supports the youth who skateboard as well.

“People are passionate and want a place for their kids to go in Taunton,” Shetler said. “There are tons of basketball courts and baseball fields. It’s just good Taunton realized they should give us a spot to move forward with it. … I think there are a lot of skateboarders in Taunton and people who care about it. It’s more of a lifestyle than a fad for people. I think (the park will) be properly maintained and people will do fundraising and put the effort into it.”

“It meets the criteria we set forth,” Tavares said. “It has visibility. We didn’t want something in the woods somewhere. … It’s on one of the main roads so there will be bus service available. It’s right near Taunton High School and nearby places for food on Route 44. Also, while softball games are going on, kids watching relatives playing softball can come skate. It’s something for everybody.”

Family members of Taunton’s Nicholas Silva-Thomas, who was 17 when he was fatally struck by a car while skateboarding on Bay Street on Aug. 4, 2011, said they are happy with the news about the skate park site approval. Tavares said that the Taunton Skate Park Committee hopes to name the park in his name.

“I’m happy it’s finally gone through,” said Joshua Silva-Thomas, Nicholas’ older brother. “We’ve been waiting a long time for it. We need a place for people to go. We don’t want that to happen to anyone else. It’s something that never stops hurting. We just want to keep everyone safe.”

Nicholas’ aunt, Tanya Thomas-Bacon, agreed.

“It’s a relief,” said Thomas-Bacon. “It is awesome. It’s finally getting done. They’ve promised it four years. It’s about time.”